Only a handful of boats made it over the rapids yesterday. Pressure on the dam continued to build all night, and at 5:00 o'clock this morning the center of the dam gave way. As the water level was rapidly falling, Admiral Porter immediately ordered the gunboat Lexington to make a run for it. The Lexington managed to clear the rapids, as did three other ships. But the water level had fallen to a depth that prevented the rest of Porter’s fleet from navigating the rapids.
In addition to repairing the center section of the dam, work began on smaller wing dams closer to the rapids. The hope was that the wing dams would reduce some of the pressure on the main dam.
Despite the setback the men in camp continued to make preparations to move out.
